Coach change at Uljanik strains partnership with Istra 1961

Source reporting: 20 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

Uljanik from Pula has terminated its cooperation with head coach Sergej Banović and replaced him with Damir Petravić. This managerial change has negatively impacted the relationship between Uljanik and fellow Pula club NK Istra 1961.

In response to the decision, which was made by Uljanik president Tonijem Draguzet, Istra 1961 withdrew its players from the club this week. The affected players, including Diego Rossi, Ivano Švraka, Jakov Žiković, Ognjen Kersan, Teo Žiković, and Toni Brajković, are now training with Istra.

These six athletes face an uncertain immediate future. They are likely to miss Uljanik's upcoming match against NL Uskok from Klis. Furthermore, regulatory rules prevent a third registration until June 30, 2027, meaning they can only play for Uljanik or Istra 1961 during this period.

Integrating these players into the Istra 1961 first team is difficult, while joining the junior squad presents challenges. Istra juniors currently lead the HNL junior league, and the arrival of six additional players could disrupt the cohesion achieved since the start of the season. Consequently, the players risk lacking sufficient competitive minutes for the remainder of the campaign.